Colossians 1

Greetings once again,

Having 'recently' preached through Colossians (Summer-Fall of 2005), I'm finding it very refreshing to be back in this wonderful little book for a review and refresher. This study, the Chapter Memory Study, has a much different focus and scope that would a preaching series, so there are different things that have grabbed my attention. And while I memorized one passage from each sermon (which would cover any variety of verses), this study has, and I'm sure will continue to, draw out other more 'thematic' scriptures for memory.

The memory passage for Colossians 1 is:
Colossians 1:9-12, 15-19, 24 (ESV)
⁹ And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰ so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. ¹¹ May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. ¹⁹ For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

(Note; I had already memorized 9-12, so I added a few extra verses for myself this week)

The Thematic Outline is Core prayer, Christ is preeminent, and Church ministry.

Core Prayer
After one of Paul's signature greetings including authorship, his company, his audience, and a blessing of grace and peace from God, he begins a section that is filled with prayerful tones. He writes that they 'thank God' in their 'prayers' (3) and that they 'have not ceased to pray' (9) for this body of believers. His prayers include thankfulness for their faith in Christ and love for other saints grounded in hope (4), that the Gospel has taken root and born fruit in them (5) and for their enduring faith and obedience to Christ and His servant Epaphras (7).

Verses 9-12 contain a prayer that I have frequently prayed for myself and others. The first supplication is for increased knowledge of God's will and for its application with spiritual wisdom and understanding. The resulting action is worked out in the believers walk. In fact, the next part of the prayer spells the word W.A.L.K. Our walk is to be:

Worthy of Him
Acceptable to Him
Laboring for Him
Knowing more of Him

This walk can be accomplished because God supplies His strength, power and might for our endurance and patience. With this, we can joyfully give thanks to God, at all times, as the One who has qualified us, as adopted children, to receive the inheritance in His kingdom. Our adoption is possible because He transferred us from the domain of darkness into the kingdom and authority of His Son who bought us on the cross (13-14).

Christ's Preeminence
One of the reasons I included all of 15-19 as the memory passage is that I didn't know where to stop. One of the main heresies threatening the Colossian church was a denial of the deity of Christ. Paul clobbers that heresy with these powerful words:

He is the image (representation and manifestation) of God
He is the firstborn (in rank, not 'the first One born') of creation
All things were created through Him and for Him
He is eternal; before all things
He is the Sustainer; He holds it all together
He is the Head of the church
He conquered death as the firstborn from the dead
He is preeminent
In Him, the fullness of God was pleased to dwell

His resulting work was to reconcile all things to Himself through the cross; allowing those who were hostile to God access to the sanctifying work of Holy Spirit through Whom they can be made holy and blameless before Him. Paul's 'if' assumes that they would continue in the faith based on the evidence that they were redeemed, reconciled and regenerate in Christ.

Church Ministry
For the sake of the church, Paul shares in the trials and sufferings that Christ experienced while He ministered on this earth. This verse does not teach that Christ's sacrifice was insufficient in any way (the word 'suffering' is never used for Christ's death) but that those who follow Christ will, and should, be treated in some ways the way He was. This is 'sharing His suffering' (Phil 3:10). The revelation of the mystery of Christ, that salvation has come to the Gentiles as well as the Jews, is the call and mission of Paul's ministry.

The last two verses of this chapter summarize well the goal and power of ministry; to proclaim Christ and make disciples (warning and teaching in wisdom leading to maturity) by the strength and power of God working in us. More on this later.

How does this affect my worship?
The words of vv15-20 could be the focus of unending worship. Christ, the Author and Perfecter of faith, is, was, and always will be Creator, Sustainer, Lord, and Head. The fact that all things were created for Him implies that all things created should worship Him. The words of Romans 11:36 resound here; from Him, through Him, and to Him are all things.
Glory to Him, and Him alone.

How does this affect my discipleship?
I will often quote vv28-29 in conversations concerning discipleship. First of all, He is the subject of our proclamation. We proclaim Him and His kingdom. He is also the subject of our teaching and admonition (not to mention the source of spiritual wisdom and understanding, cf 9). He is also the goal of our sanctification as maturity in Christ yields Christ-likeness. And while this call to ministry is for us to obey, it does not come without the requisite power and strength. Isn't this the Great Commission in action? Go (proclaim) and make disciples (teaching and admonishing everything He commanded)!

May the Sustainer sustain you in His strength,

Ethan

Philippians 4

Grace and Peace to you,

As we conclude the shortest book thus far in the Chapter Memory Study today, we look at Paul's closing words to the church in Philippi.

The memory passage is;
Philippians 4:1,9,11,13,19 (ESV)
¹ Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
⁹ What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
¹⁹ And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

The outline theme is Love, learn, and lean in the Christian walk.

Paul's affection for the beloved brothers in the Philippian church is evident from the very first verse. He loves them and longs for them, and he calls them his joy and crown. This underlying affection flavors even his most pointed confrontation of the letter in vv 2-3. These two women who appeared to be competing for attention or a following were reminded that we are united through Christ; all of our names (in the body of believers) are written in the book of life.

Verse 4 begins a beautiful passage of encouragement and exhortation that continues through verse 9. Rejoice in the Lord, for in Him you have much to rejoice about. Let His grace and gentleness be very evident in your lives as we live for His returning; which is near. Don't make agreements with anxiety; instead, pray and present your every need to God, in the posture of thanksgiving. He, who has no limit to grace or peace and who knows your need, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Also he writes them to dwell on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. This is followed by a challenge for them to practice the things they have learned, received, heard, and seen in Paul so that they don't just get the peace of God, but also the God of peace.

Following an example of love and the challenge to learn from Paul's example, we read a reminder to find our contentment in God and God alone. While Paul was grateful for the gifts and support he had received, but kept it all in eternal perspective. In times of plenty and times of little, he proclaims that he is content in God who strengthens him to do all things. His focus is not the actual physical gift, but the impact, or fruit, that the gift will have in the kingdom. And what a blessing to give someone; that God will supply every need based on the riches He has in glory and gives us through Christ! And it is always and forever to Him and for His glory.

How does this affect my worship?
There seems to be a worship theme running through the Bible concerning contentedness in God. 'No matter what happens, good or bad, I will praise You. If I am in prosperity or need, I will praise You. If I overflow with joy or am burdened with sorrow, I will praise You.' How does my worship change if I really believe that He will supply all of my needs and all of my strength to stand firm for Him in this world?

How does this affect my discipleship?
For some reason, verse 9 has never stuck out to me as a verse about discipleship until now. Paul basically says 'everything I have invested in you, teaching, giving, speaking, and living; do these things as a way to get closer to God (and have Him draw closer to you).' Inherent in Paul's discipleship mentality is that he lives his whole life in front of people with the expectation that they will do the same. It must multiply so that it can reach the ends of the earth.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,

Ethan